Switch to bypass optical diode for reducing power consumption of electrical meters

Abstract

The invention contemplates an electrical power meter and method of operating the electrical power meter. The inventive power meter includes a power supply for converting alternating current (AC) voltage to a direct current (DC) voltage for powering the electronic components, and an optical diode in series with the power supply. The meter may also include an optical communications port in communication with the optical diode and/or a switch (e.g., a transistor) in communication with the optical diode. The switch may be in parallel with the optical diode, and allow DC current to bypass the optical diode when a request for communication is received by the meter. The DC current provided to the optical diode represents communication of data with an optical communications port. The switch may be controlled by a microprocessor device.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of reducing power consumed by an electronic utility power meter, comprising:
 receiving an alternating current (AC) power from an electric power line; 
 converting the AC power to a direct current (DC) power with a power supply; 
 providing the DC power to a metering circuit, wherein an optical diode is in series with the power supply and the metering circuit, and wherein the optical diode is in parallel with the power supply and a switch; and 
 reducing the DC power provided to the optical diode. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the optical diode converting an electrical signal to an optical signal. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising communicating the optical signal with an optical communications port. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the power supply is capable of providing power sufficient to operate the optical diode and the metering circuit. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising switching a DC current provided to the optical diode by the power supply. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the switching is done via a transistor. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , further comprising a first resistor in series connection with the transistor. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 6 , further comprising a second resistor in parallel connection with the transistor. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the DC current provided to the optical diode represents data related to the operation of the meter. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 5 , further comprising controlling the switching with a microprocessor device. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the switching allows DC current to bypass the optical diode. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising bypassing the DC current around the optical diode. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a request for communication; and
 providing the DC current to the optical diode in response to the request for communication. 
 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the optical diode is a light emitting diode. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the optical diode causes a voltage drop of the DC power provided by the power supply.